ISSUE:

Some customers of 2008-2009 SYNC equipped vehicles may express concern with their call sound quality while using the SYNC microphone, complaints of excessive background noise during a phone call, and/or issues with voice recognition accuracy while driving.

ACTION:

Follow the service procedure to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

The following service procedure involves updating the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software level and installing an external alternate SYNC microphone attached to the headliner.

NOTE:

THIS PROCEDURE DOES NOT APPLY TO DEALER-INSTALLED SYNC SYSTEMS.

Do not perform Step 1 if vehicle is already equipped with SYNC 2.0 (911 and Vehicle Health Report) or has been upgraded to consumer interface processor (CIP) level 9L3T-14D544-AE. To determine the current APIM software level, Refer to the Professional Technician Society (PTS) website, enter the VIN in OASIS, click the GO button, and select the SYNC button.

Reprogram the APIM to CIP software level 9L3T-14D544-AE. For additional information Refer to other SYNC TSB's and WSM, Section 418-01. Service Pack files may also be obtained at www.syncmyride.com.

When diagnosing a concern related to voice recognition (VR) difficulties, instruct the customer to test VR functionality while the vehicle is parked. If customer concerns are still present, this procedure will not yield an improvement, and the service procedure should not be performed. Instead, Refer to the SYNC supplement guide and www.syncmyride.com for additional VR tips to assist customer.

The VR experience can be improved with user training and making improvements to the phone book entries (longer entries make the system more robust). Ensure the customer does not try to speak too loud or slow and remove any objects hanging on the rear view mirror as this will reduce system effectiveness.

When diagnosing a concern related to call sound quality, expect marginal improvements for calls described as speaking in a tunnel, chamber, etc. Expect substantial improvements for complaints where the call audio seems to drop out intermittently.

NOTE:

THIS REPAIR WILL CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OF THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. REFER TO THE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE APPLICABLE VEHICLE LOCATED IN THIS PROCEDURE. DO NOT PERFORM THIS REPAIR WITHOUT CUSTOMER APPROVAL PRIOR TO PROCEEDING WITH MICROPHONE INSTALLATION.

Install SYNC microphone service kit. Installing the kit includes mounting an external microphone directly to the headliner and splicing in a jumper harness to the vehicle's existing wiring harness. The existing SYNC microphone will no longer be functional.

Ensure the SYNC microphone wires are secure and do not interfere with vehicle operation or functionality.

The microphone is directional. Make sure the microphone is always positioned so wire length is minimized from view. When installing the microphone adjacent to trim, place microphone as close to trim as possible to help minimize visible wire.

2008-2009 Edge / MKX

Remove the protective backing from the adhesive on the microphone and attach the microphone. (Figure 1)

Firmly press the microphone into place.

Ensure the microphone is parallel and adjacent to overhead console trim.

Route microphone cable up through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the driver side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.

Only splice into the cut wires heading in the direction of the connector. Tape off and secure the cut wire ends heading up the A-pillar as they are no longer used.

Attach the microphone connector to the jumper harness connector.

Bundle and tuck the remainder of the microphone cable over the front of the headliner.

2009 Escape / Mariner

Remove the protective backing from the adhesive on the microphone and attach the microphone as shown in the illustration (Figures 2 and 3). Firmly press the microphone into place. Ensure the microphone is parallel and adjacent to overhead console trim (if equipped), or positioned directly above A-pillar on headliner if not equipped with an overhead console. Proceed to Step 5 if not equipped with an overhead console.

Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the passenger side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.

Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the driver side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.

Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the passenger side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.

Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the passenger side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.

Only splice into the cut wires heading in the direction of the connector. Tape off and secure the other cut wire ends as they are no longer used.

Attach the microphone connector to the jumper harness connector.

Bundle and tuck the remainder of the microphone cable above the front of the headliner.

2008-2009 Focus

Remove the protective backing from the adhesive on the microphone and attach the microphone as shown in the illustration (Figure 10). Firmly press the microphone into place. Ensure the microphone is parallel and adjacent to the dome lamp trim.

Route microphone cable up through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the passenger side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.

Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the passenger side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.

Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the driver side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.

Gain access to connector 911 at the rear view mirror. Refer to the online WD, Section 124-1 for links to location and connector views.

Identify circuits VMN02 (WH-BN), RMN02 (VT-BN), and DMN07 (shield) from C911. Pull back the black harness sleeve and cut the three circuits near C911 or if equipped with a headlamp control module-2 (HCM-2), remove the HCM-2 access cover and cut circuits under trim cover. Refer to WSM, Section 417-01 for additional information.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:

WARRANTY STATUS:

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty CoverageIMPORTANT: Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.